MANILA — Thailand’s EST Cola completed its dominant run in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Invitational by dismantling the Nxled Chameleons in straight sets, 25-22, 25-21, 25-19, to capture the championship Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Thai squad delivered when it mattered most in the winner-take-all finale, overcoming Nxled’s early resistance before imposing its attacking firepower to become only the second foreign guest team to win the PVL Invitational crown after Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze.
EST Cola leaned heavily on the potent tandem of Papatchaya Phontham and Nannaphat Moonjakham, whose consistent offensive production powered the visitors throughout the tournament and again proved crucial in the title match.
The Thai side weathered a competitive opening set before gradually seizing control. After taking the first frame, EST Cola kept Nxled under pressure in the second to move within a set of the championship.
There was no denying the visitors in the third as they pulled away from the Chameleons to complete the sweep and secure the title.
The championship punctuated an impressive turnaround for EST Cola, which opened its campaign with a loss to PLDT before stringing together four consecutive victories to finish the preliminary round on top of the standings with a 4-1 record.
Nxled, meanwhile, fell short of securing its first PVL championship but still walked away with the best finish in franchise history after claiming the silver medal.
Defending champion PLDT High Speed Hitters settled for bronze after defeating the Creamline Cool Smashers, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22.
Farm Fresh Foxies also ended their Invitational campaign on a winning note, sweeping Ho Chi Minh City, 25-10, 25-15, 25-15, in the battle for fifth place./PN
